Hands-free Earpieces Tested

As smartphones get smarter, motorists wanting to take full advantage on the road need 
a hands-free kit to stay on 
the right side of the law. 

Whether it’s a battery meter 
for your iPhone, or voice dialling so you can call out without even touching your mobile, technology has really come on since rules banned drivers from holding and using their phone at the wheel were introduced four years ago. Here, we look at earpieces.

Bluetooth hands-free kits 
for the car have been around 
for some time now, but it’s still important to get the basics right. While some drivers choose on features alone, many motorists will be more concerned about these devices’ sound quality and ease of use, as well as their cost.

So we looked for simple 
pairing of our test headsets 
and loudspeakers with our mobile phone. The earpieces needed to be secure in place 
– it’s crucial that they’re not 
too loose in the ear – as well as comfortable over long distances. 

We then rated sound quality, with conversations between our testers, parked and on the move, marking clarity. Plus, we assessed each product on the road over a short route, taking in a stretch between tall buildings and trees, and a section with the window wound down – the latter to test wind reduction. We liked manual volume controls, and checked for solid build and easy operation.

Looks and price were also factors. 

Jabra still makes the best earpieces: its £30 EasyGo leads the way, as it’s simple to use, with clear sound. An extra £10 gets the stylish Wave, which is capable in all driving conditions. Plantronics’ Voyager Pro Plus is third with its premium feel and wide adjustment.

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